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In Support of Separation - One Santa Monican's Perspective
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As a Santa Monica College professor teaching American politics and democratic theory I am keenly aware of a deep seeded American commitment to local community values and representative government. And, I think that it is fair to say that I don’t just teach American values, I also live and practice them each and every day. As the proud Co-Chair of Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights, I have the good fortune of working side-by-side with my neighbors, for the protection of our neighborhoods, our shared green spaces, and our local schools. You might have guessed that the latter, Education, is of great importance to me. My wife, Jennifer, and I chose to live in Santa Monica – we chose to raise our two children here in great measure for the public schools. I suspect that our Malibu friends and neighbors made similar choices.
As the Vice President of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s, District PTA, I have learned that while both communities are committed to excellent public schools, there are differences in how we see the operation of the District.
Therefore, I believe strongly that if the citizens of Malibu truly want to separate from the District and that we can ensure the children in both communities are not harmed, then we should move forward, together, Santa Monica and Malibu.
Separation should be done in a timely manner once it is clear that a majority of the citizens of Malibu desire separation. This does not mean that I think this will be easy or simple. In fact, I don’t know anyone who thinks separation won’t have its challenges. But I know that together we can do what is right for both communities. Together we will move forward and uphold teaching excellence and our contractual commitments to our teachers and education workers, and ensure that there is no loss of quality education for our children. We will also need to ensure an equitable distribution of infrastructure and liabilities.
Together we can get this done. I am an advocate for separation, an advocate for Malibu kids.
By Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein
AMPS Advisory Board Member
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AMPS PAC Endorses School Board Candidates
Advocates for Malibu Public Schools (AMPS) PAC has endorsed Craig Foster, Laurie Lieberman, Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein and Oscar De La Torre, as candidates for the Board of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
The AMPS board submitted detailed questions to all candidates regarding their vision for the entire district as well as the unique concerns of the Malibu community. The endorsements reflect a majority of the AMPS board of directors. AMPS has posted the responses of all the candidates in the link below.
AMPS intends to work through its AMPS PAC to assist in electing the four candidates it has endorsed.
Click here to read Candidates' Questionnaires
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Malibu Association of Realtors Endorses AMPS
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The Malibu Association of Realtors voted to officially endorse Advocates for Malibu Public Schools (AMPS), and its continuing efforts for separation, and for an independently and locally controlled Malibu Unified School District.
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Malibu Schools Leadership Council Formed
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A new coalition of parent leaders and heads of Malibu education organizations have joined forces in an effort to advance Malibu students’ and parents’ interests. The Malibu Schools Leadership Council (MSLC) was created to share and exchange information and promote a stronger, more unified voice in the broader educational community.
MSLC includes the PTA/PTSA Presidents of each of the Malibu schools including, Co-Presidents of Webster Elementary PTA, Lori Keeffe and Soniya Perl; Juan Cabrillo Elementary PTA President, Desi Bradley; Point Dume Marine Science School PTA President, Roui Israel; PTSA President of Malibu High and Malibu Middle School, Karen Farrer; Director of Malibu’s Boys and Girls Club, Kasey Earnest; Chairman of the Malibu High School Shark Fund, Doug Masterson; and the President of Advocates for Malibu Public Schools (AMPS), Craig Foster. Also pictured: Superintendent’s Advisory Committee Liaison Kristina Kell, and Boys & Girls Club Programs Director Siugen Constanza.
MSLC MISSION STATEMENT
The Malibu School Leadership Council (MSLC) was formed to bring the Malibu school community together in order to share and exchange information, connect with the broader education community, and build leadership skills as advocates for all children and families.
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Let's Use Video to Reinvent Education
March 2013, by Salman Khan, Ted Talks
Salman Khan talks about how and why he created the remarkable Khan Academy, a carefully structured series of educational videos offering complete curricula in math and, now, other subjects. He shows the power of interactive exercises and calls for teachers to consider flipping the traditional classroom script -- give students video lectures to watch at home and do "homework" in the classroom with the teacher available to help.
Watch video here
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Santa Monica Coming Around on School District Separation
October 6, 2014, by Emily Sawicki, Malibu Times
Read more here
Santa Monica Resident Voices Support for AMPS
September 22, 2014 By Chris Bashaw, Malibu Surfside News
Read more here
AMPS Hosts Booth at Malibu Chili Cook-Off
September 11, 2014, By Malibu Times Editorial, Malibu Times
Read more here
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A Global Model for STEM Education
October 8, 2014, By Vince Bertram, Huffington Post Education
Read more here
What the best education systems are doing right
September 4, 2014, by Amy Choi, Ted Ideas
Read more here
A Bold Battle Cry for Teachers: 'I Teach Students, Not Subjects'
October 9, 2014, by M. Shannon Hernandez, Huffington Post Education
Read more here
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